October 01, 2024 | Be God's Light
Ezekiel's Call
Scripture: Ezekiel 2(NIV)
1 He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” 2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.
3 He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you.”
9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, 10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.
Devotional
Raised to be a priest at the temple in Jerusalem, Ezekiel was now one of 10,000 exiles living in Babylonia. These deported Israelites were far from their homeland and family. But they were farther from God. Back in Jerusalem they had been part of a society that abandoned the Lord and embraced idolatry. Their deportation to another land didn’t change their hearts toward God.
The Lord told Ezekiel that he was being sent to the Israelites who were rebellious, obstinate and stubborn, in revolt against the Lord. They would be like briers, thorns and scorpions to Ezekiel’s message. The scroll about them contained words of lament, mourning and woe. What sad descriptions of the people of God.
Whether they listened or not, God told Ezekiel three things:
- I am sending you to them.
- Do not be afraid of them.
- Listen to what I say to you.
When Jesus sent his disciples out to do ministry, he warned them that not everyone would receive them warmly. He said, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet” (Matthew 10:14). He didn’t tell them to give up. He told them to move on and keep trying. Ministry is not for the thin-skinned.
How would the promises of God have been an encouragement to Ezekiel in his times to come? What about the words of Jesus to His disciples? What keeps you going?
Poem
Stand Up And Stand Up
Stand up and stand up
Do not grovel before me
A call to speak words I will give
Stand up and stand up
In my presence I charge thee
Speak words that My people might live
Stand up and stand up
For the widow and orphan
Speak justice for all on the streets
Stand up and stand up
In full righteousness live thee
My words against evil’s defeat
Stand up and stand up
Despite great persecution
‘Fore fire and lions be strong
Stand up and stand up
Before councils of power
Exhort them of all that is wrong
Stand up and stand up
On the Day of Redemption
Your full crown of glory receive
Stand up and stand up
With the great cloud of martyrs
And with all who in My Son believe
